Our Holy Father speaks

Pope’s Message for 101st German Catholic Convention in Munster

Dear brothers and sisters,

I cordially greet all of you on the occasion of the 101th Katholikentag taking place in Münster, and I am glad so many of you have come. Your participation is a clear sign of how much you care about the motto of this Katholikentag, “Search for peace”.

This word is taken from Psalm 34: “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it”. It is an imperative and extremely urgent request for help. Today there is no more important topic in the public debate on religion than the problem of fanaticism and propensity to violence. We observe it in the family sphere, in the workplace, in associations, in our neighbourhoods, in regions and in nations: wherever man as such is not considered a gift from God there is disagreement, resentment and hatred. I am deeply concerned about people, especially children and young people, who are forced to flee because of war and violence in their country, to save their lives. They knock on our doors asking for help and hospitality. In their eyes we see the nostalgia for peace. (complete text)